Sunkist Packing House, Orange County CA - N Scale Switching Layout

[basementcalling]

I am sure the California EPA will be in touch for large containers of questionable materials being allowed to roam around the countryside.

As for the scenery, it looks real to me. The road surface could use more subtle textures and weathering, but that's what happens in progress.

[timgill]

I am sure the California EPA will be in touch for large containers of questionable materials being allowed to roam around the countryside.

As for the scenery, it looks real to me. The road surface could use more subtle textures and weathering, but that's what happens in progress.

Yes, once the road is striped I'm going to dullcote it for "tooth" and try my hand at some powders and drybrushing.

So, I'm having trouble figuring out my next steps in creating the packing plant, which is to be the centerpiece of this particular layout. While the following photo gives an excellent 3/4 view of the plant, it doesn't really shed light on whether this was a brick building, or a concrete block building:



Here are some closeups of the abandoned plant before it was torn down. It seems to me that I should be leaning more concrete block than brick, but it might help to have a few more opinions.





I'm not sure. That's not lathe-and-plaster, is it?

Once I decide either way, I think I'm going to prep drawings to have the walls and sub assemblies laser cut.

[timgill]

First attempts at weathering on the road; what do you think?

[timgill]

I have had several "false-starts" so far attempting to build the centerpiece structure of the layout, the Sunkist packing plant/Olive Heights Citrus Association:





This is the largest structure I have attempted to scratchbuild, and it is no small task. My first two attempts started with the idea of building the sub-structure out of 0.20 styrene; but I couldn't satisfactorily fabricate the long walls in a way that looked convincing.

What I needed, I figured, was a much stronger "core" for such a large building; and also, a way to accurately make the long, square cuts I needed for the walls to sit true. After a bit of brainstorming, I figured that the easiest way would be to use my table saw, and build a robust core for the model from plywood and masonite.

Not only do both of those materials cost less per square inch than styrene, they also had the advantage of being materials that I already had on hand.

I laid out the geometry of the main packing house/loading bays (sans cooling building), and cut a base for the building from 3/16" plywood:



Here it is in test position on the layout. It had to be carefully angled to match the subtle angle of the siding:



Eventually, holes will be drilled though the base and the layout so that the building can be "bolted down," using wingnuts from underneath the table top. That will ensure a firm mount for the building, and also the option of painlessly removing the model later on if need be.

Then, using my drawings of the building as a guide, I cut rough wall dimensions from 1/8" Masonite. Here they are dry-fit on the base:







Suddenly, this project doesn't seem so daunting! I will do a similar base/walls for the cooling building/ice dock.

The next step is to carefully plan out and execute cuts for windows, vents and doors. Most likely, I will drill out the openings with an appropriate sized drill-bit and use a coping saw to square the corners. I think this will give a really clean alignment for the openings. Then, I'll laminate brick-texture sheets on top of the Masonite, install doors and windows, etc. Considering trying out printed images for brick texture...

In other news, I finally found a prototype to letter my Bachmann 2-8-0 after:







AT&SF 2513 is a close match for the Bachmann model, so I dug out the decals and hit the workbench with my proto-photos.



I think she's a looker...don't you?



In this shot, you can see that I'm starting modifications to the tender to turn her into an oil-burner, per her prototype. I'd also like to find the AT&SF style number-boards for atop the boiler, and move her bell to the front of the smokebox. Also, the pilot needs a "real" coupler, and I need to replace the piece of junk on the tender with a micro-trains coupler.



It feels good to be working on this layout again!

[Baronjutter]

I don't know a big boy from a mallet, but that's a very nice looking steam engine.  Maybe it's just good photography, but there's something very attractive about it.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

If the Bmann 2-8-0 coupler boxes are designed like the 4-6-0, then it's pretty easy to ream the metal smooth and then slip in a MTL 905 Z-scale coupler, box & all.
The tender should have only a metal bump or two to flatten (if anything at all):



While the front will need to be reamed out a bit more:



But then the MTL 905 just slips in snug:



I've never done the conversion with a 2-8-0, but looks very similar.

Glad to see the packing house coming along!

[timgill]

Thanks M.C.; the tender on the 2-8-0 is the exact same (USRA Medium) as on the 4-6-0, so I assume the conversion will work. I'm also in the process of converting/lettering my 4-6-0, so both of them will get the treatment. I definitely like the look of the Z-scale couplers, much better than the "fist of death" that currently graces the pilot 

[timgill]

Dusting off this thread; while much of my energies have been focused on my HOn30 modules, I had a short ops session last night on the shelf layout. The results were frustrating, to say the least.

I go into more detail on my blog: http://thrifty1160.blogspot.com/

However, to cut to the chase; I may have to ruminate on the future of this layout. A re-birth may be in order; essentially, what it boils down to is the faulty operation/gradual deterioration of the Atlas turnouts. Basically, if the layout isn't operating well, it's off-putting to work on it.

I have to decide if my energies are best utilized fixing turnouts (or ripping them up, replacing them with handlaid) and chasing down dead rail spots- OR, doing a ground-up rebuild of the layout with a more robust approach to the infrastructure.

An now, for no relevant reason, a photo from last night's session.

[Hamaker]

Sorry to hear of the problems you're experiencing.  I read the entire thread for the first time today and was excited and hopeful to see it completed. It reminds me of the switching layout I just built.  It's sorta based on the packing sheds in Edison/Lamont/Arvin area just outside Bakersfield.  My father worked for the Santa Fe and the line was referred to as the Arvin Turn.  Best I can remember the AT&SF and SP took turns operating the line.  One had it one year.....the other had it the next year.  So operating my layout is a constant reminder of my dad and his brakeman.

In addition, I used to work in Orange County and lived out in Corona.  So I hope you decide to finish your layout.

[timgill]

Sorry to hear of the problems you're experiencing.  I read the entire thread for the first time today and was excited and hopeful to see it completed. It reminds me of the switching layout I just built.  It's sorta based on the packing sheds in Edison/Lamont/Arvin area just outside Bakersfield.  My father worked for the Santa Fe and the line was referred to as the Arvin Turn.  Best I can remember the AT&SF and SP took turns operating the line.  One had it one year.....the other had it the next year.  So operating my layout is a constant reminder of my dad and his brakeman.

In addition, I used to work in Orange County and lived out in Corona.  So I hope you decide to finish your layout.

Thanks a lot...I don't think this layout will be abandoned, but I am considering re-starting it as a set of modules, with handlaid turnouts. I could probably salvage most of the flex track.

Glad to hear that this layout brings back good memories.

[OldEastRR]

Yes, once the road is striped I'm going to dullcote it for "tooth" and try my hand at some powders and drybrushing.

So, I'm having trouble figuring out my next steps in creating the packing plant, which is to be the centerpiece of this particular layout. While the following photo gives an excellent 3/4 view of the plant, it doesn't really shed light on whether this was a brick building, or a concrete block building:



Here are some closeups of the abandoned plant before it was torn down. It seems to me that I should be leaning more concrete block than brick, but it might help to have a few more opinions.





I'm not sure. That's not lathe-and-plaster, is it?

Once I decide either way, I think I'm going to prep drawings to have the walls and sub assemblies laser cut.

The large windowless structure is made with poured concrete walls. The horizontal lines in the surface are indicators that planks nailed horizontally were used as the concrete forms. I would think the packing shed itself was also poured concrete as it has pilasters for wall strength and roof support.

[Specter3]

Tim

I have a shelf layout that is giving me similar issues. Built 8+ years ago with Atlas C55. Originally run with old GP diesels it ran fine. Now that it has wandered 50 years into the past with some steam power, it is a pain inthe a$$ every time I try and run some of these on it. Same complaints. Out of gauge powerless turnouts. Oh well.

[timgill]

The large windowless structure is made with poured concrete walls. The horizontal lines in the surface are indicators that planks nailed horizontally were used as the concrete forms. I would think the packing shed itself was also poured concrete as it has pilasters for wall strength and roof support.

Hooray! Thanks for the clarification. This means I can rethink my application of wall material onto the core structure; I can probably use plain styrene and scribe as needed for the effect.

As far as the turnouts go; I wonder if Atlas has some kind of warranty in effect for their turnouts? Probably not...the dead point-rail feeders are the most troubling issue. I can *almost* live with filing and adjusting all of the guard rails.

[lisican]

Tim -  I like your layout, despite its issues, I hope it comes back. I've got a similar layout, and really like the look of the Olive depot. Could you pass along the creator of the kit or contact info for it? It'd look great on my 1930s CA layout.

Thanks
Nick

[timgill]

Hi Nick,

The depot was designed and lasered for me by a guy named Tom Cataldo. His email is cataldotj@gmail.com .